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A monomaniacal football fan, Paul places his happiness in the hands of his struggling football team, Arsenal. The fact that Arsenal haven't won a game worth mentioning in eighteen years may explain his rather pessimistic outlook on life. That is, until the day he meets Sarah Hughes who comes to work at the North London comprehensive school where Paul teaches. Despite being absurdly incompatible, the two teachers eventually become lovers.

Relationships pass through many seasons in the course of their maturation, but if Paul and Sarah survive the Football League Championship it looks like it will be a miracle.

Firth (The English Patient) drops his dapper britches and slips comfortably into his football shorts in a role which showcases this talented actor's broad range and great comic potential.
Gemmill makes an equally impressive impact in this, her feature film debut.

Although ostensibly a comedy, the skill of these two actors allows for moments in the film to spill into the type of social realism which has become so familiar and powerful in recent
British cinema. Fever Pitch has more to offer than just laughs and football.

With subtle humour and astute insight, first time feature director Evans also delivers a fascinating study of the cultural phenomenon of sporting obsession. ---Melissa Bolliger

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originally posted: 03/08/99 00:09:46
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